PAULA PASCHE: Will Detroit Lions draft defensive end in first round?

In this Dec. 20, 2012, file photo, BYU linebacker Ezekiel "Ziggy" Ansah, center, is congratulated by Bronson Kaufusi, left, and Daniel Sorensen after intercepting a San Diego State pass during the first half of the Poinsettia Bowl NCAA college football game in San Diego. Ansah might be the NFL's least likely first-round draft prospect. He grew up in Ghana playing soccer, came to America to play basketball at Brigham Young and after getting cut twice, finally took the advice of his track coach and tried out for football. Now, this foreign-born athlete is on the verge of becoming a star. (AP Photo/Lenny Ignelzi, File)

Formally known as Ezekiel, the defensive end from Brigham Young has become the experts' popular choice for the Detroit Lions' fifth overall pick in the NFL draft.

At least for this week. That could change prior to the opening night of the draft on April 25.

It was just two short seasons ago that the Lions' defensive line was considered one of the top units in the NFL.

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For now, the defensive end position is just a big question mark. That's why drafting a defensive end such as Ansah, Dion Jordan (Oregon) or Bjoern Werner (Florida State) in the first round could make sense.

The Lions are looking for a first-round player who can step in and start right away. It appears any of these three would fit that requirement.

Cliff Avril will become an unrestricted free agent at 4 p.m. on Tuesday if the Lions don't sign him. He could not reach a long-term agreement prior to the 2012 season and so was franchised for a year.

It could come down to the last minute, or Avril could test the free agent waters. He's ranked as the second best overall free agent by ProFootballTalk.com. The Lions want him back and he wants to return, but it's all about the Benjamins.

If he's not re-signed that leaves a huge hole on the left to match the one on the right.

Kyle Vanden Bosch, who started every game as the right defensive end for the last two seasons, was released several weeks ago.

Backup Lawrence Jackson could compete for a starting role. In fact, defensive coordinator Gunther Cunningham has said that Jackson is one of his smartest players on defense (he sometimes out-thinks himself) and has the ability to be an NFL starter.

Jackson, who had 2.5 sacks in 15 games in 2012, is also a pending unrestricted free agent. In 37 games over three seasons in Detroit, the former first-round pick out of USC, has 13 sacks, two forced fumbles and 80 tackles. He always seems to have an impact when he's on the field. Still, he's not signed yet.

That leaves Willie Young, a restricted free agent, who is expected to be tendered an offer.

Also, the Lions have Ronnell Lewis who as a rookie couldn't get any time at defensive end because he couldn't beat out Jackson or Young who were the backups.

Lewis, a fourth-round pick, was inactive for the final seven games because he wasn't making a big enough contribution on special teams. He was active and played on special teams in eight of the first nine games.

"I think he's going to be a factor going forward, I think he's going to be a good rotational defensive end/special teams player for us,'' general manager Martin Mayhew said after the season. "He's got ability without question, he's good on special teams, but he didn't have quite enough impact to put make one of those other guys inactive.''

Certainly the interior of the defensive line is set with starters Ndamukong Suh and Nick Fairley under contract.

Defensive tackles Corey Williams and Sammie Hill are pending free agents, but unlike the defensive end position, at least they Lions know who will start at defensive tackle.